Development of Educating Illinois 2013-2018

In September 2011, President Bowman charged the four vice presidents to lead the process to revise the University's strategic plan. He also appointed and charged the Educating Illinois Task Force to:

Consult widely to develop a new strategic plan for Illinois State University. The new plan will build upon the success the University has realized over the last decade, and set forth a direction to further advance the University in the coming years.

To prepare the document, a number of activities were undertaken to review the environment and seek input from the campus and local communities. A comprehensive environmental scan was prepared that illustrated both internal and external factors facing the University. The Task Force executed a widespread consultation process, before the first draft was released in August 2012 and immediately following, that included meeting with campus and related groups (listed below), open forums, and online surveys. Additionally, the Task Force held a two-day retreat where campus panels presented on various topics relating to the planning process.

The Task Force took the information and feedback it received from the consultation processes and formulated the final draft that includes a vision, four goals, and accompanying strategies. The final draft was endorsed by each of the shared governance groups – Academic Senate, Administrative/Professional Council, Civil Service Council, and Student Government Association – before it was formally adopted by the Illinois State University Board of Trustees on February 22, 2013.